Hartest and Coldham vs Haverhill Sunday X1
14th June 2009

Haverhill decided to bat on a dry but grassy wicket. Openers Nigel Proctor and Rob Sullivan started very watchfully with the score on 32-0 off 11 overs. The new ball was swinging a little, however, the slowness of the pitch concerned Haverhill most with Proctor in particular struggling to time the ball. When Proctor departed for 17 with the score on 69, Phil Dingley marched to the crease in a bid to up the run rate. Dingley scored 19 very quickly and gave the Haverhill innings the necessary impetus. When Dingley was bowled by Moriarty, Watkins soon followed for 3. This brought man of the match Dan Poole to the wicket with the score on 120-3 off 26. From this point onwards, Sullivan and Poole both accelerated and reached a rapid 50 partnership. The jaded Sullivan fell for a valiant 94 off 105 balls and this sparked a flurry of runs but also wickets. Carl Bradford (1), Russell Davis (3) and Dean Sharpe (3) all fell quickly in the pursuit of reaching 220. Poole stroked his way to 40 and it was left to Joe Woodley (9) and Chris Thompson (3 not out) to finish off the innings. Haverhill finished on 215. This looked to be slightly above par at halfway.

Davis and Muller opened the bowling for Haverhill with an old and soft ball. The previous match ball had been deposited into the corn field by Haverhill opening batsman, Rob Sullivan. Both bowled with exceptional pace and accuracy to restrict Hartest to only 32-0 off 12. Muller finally made the breakthrough by bowling the watchful Hannon. This brought the big hitting M Roberts to the crease, who joined the fluent Hodge. This was the partnership that would decide the match. After Roberts was dropped on the boundary by Bradford, Woodley was targeted and hit out of the attack but this worked in Haverhill’s favour. The spin duo of Dan Poole and Chris Thompson saved the day. At 95-2 and the seam bowlers not getting a lot from the pitch, Hartest were set for a strong finish. Poole struck first removing Roberts. Thompson then produced the ball of the day to bowl Hodge for a good innings of 55. Poole then ripped through Hartest claiming 7-28. This was his first five-wicket haul for Haverhill and was greatly deserved. Thompson got his reward by claiming another scalp thanks to a good stumping by wicketkeeper Jon Watkins. Poole’s match winning spell of wily and canny spin bowling largely helped Haverhill Sunday Firsts maintain their 100 per cent record to the season.

Find a business or organisation by using our A-Z listing below ...